Third LHC bench formed to judge contempt pleas against Nawaz, Maryam

by Staff Report , (Last Updated April 4, 2018)

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday formed a third bench to undertake the hearing regarding contempt of court, filed against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.

Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi will be heading the bench comprising Justice Shahid Jameel Khan and Justice Atir Mehmood that will hear the petitions on April 6 filed against “anti-judiciary speeches” made by the accused.

Justice Shahid Mubeen was replaced by Justice Jameel who excused himself owing to “personal reasons”.

Earlier last week, a second bench had been formed by the LHC chief justice after Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan’s transfer to the Multan bench resulting in his replacement by Justice Mubeen.

The petitions have been filed by Advocate Azhar Siddiq on behalf of civilians Amna Malik and Muneer Ahmed who have accused Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and followers of the father-daughter duo of attacking the judiciary in their public addresses.

The petitions also state that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) does not take any action to keep the speeches from broadcasting.

The petitions seek the court to charge the Sharif’s and their aides

The petitioners appealed the court to charge the Sharif’s and their party leaders with contempt of court and order PEMRA not to air the speeches of the deposed prime minister or his followers.